One of the latest material-focused initiatives at Tomorrowland explores how festival waste can be reintroduced into new applications. This approach is reflected in the production of the 20th-anniversary Tomorrowland festival flags, which are made from 80% recycled polyester derived from on-site plastic waste.
The process begins during the festival itself. Plastic waste is collected on-site by Renewi and Remondis. Through a dedicated collaboration with Indaver, based in Willebroek near the festival grounds, selected plastic waste streams are sorted and processed separately. This setup allows the materials to remain traceable to the festival, going beyond standard waste treatment practices.
Once sorted, the PET material — largely originating from used cups — is processed into flakes. These flakes are then transformed into yarns, which are woven into fabric and used to produce the festival flags. Traditionally, flags are made from virgin polyester. By using recycled polyester instead, this production process reduces the reliance on newly produced synthetic materials.
While this application does not qualify as upcycling, it demonstrates a practical example of material reuse at scale and highlights the potential of recycling systems within a festival context. The resulting flags meet the same visual and functional standards required for large-scale outdoor use, without altering the recognisable Tomorrowland aesthetic.
In total, 13,525 flags have been produced using recycled polyester. This figure illustrates the scale at which recycled materials can be reintegrated into festival production when collection, sorting and manufacturing processes are aligned.
The project reflects a broader shift within the entertainment industry towards more thoughtful material flows, showing how design, logistics and recycling infrastructure can work together without compromising quality or experience.
